Freezer display shows AL03; unit may run continuously or not maintain set temperature; sometimes accompanied by irregular defrosting.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the freezer before removing any interior panels. Sharp metal edges around the evaporator can cause cuts—wear gloves.
- Access the evaporator compartment: Remove baskets and the rear interior panel of the freezer to expose the evaporator coil (often held by a few screws and clips).
- Locate the evaporator sensor: It is typically clipped to the evaporator tubing or embedded in a small plastic housing attached to the coil.
- Check mounting and condition: Ensure the sensor is firmly attached to the coil and not hanging loose. Inspect the wiring for ice damage, corrosion, or breaks.
- Defrost if iced over: If the entire evaporator and sensor are encased in ice, allow the unit to fully defrost (unplug and leave doors open, protect floor from water). After defrosting, reassemble and test. If AL03 returns, replace the sensor.
- Replace the sensor: Disconnect the old sensor at its connector, route the new sensor along the same path, clip it securely to the evaporator, and avoid kinking the capillary or refrigerant lines.
If replacing the sensor does not clear AL03, the control board may be defective and should be evaluated by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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